Beauticians{40 {0 hand tool

ABSTRACT

A beauticians&#39;&#39; hand tool that is especially useful for the styling of wigs and having tricolumnar comb, combing brush, and T-pin remover features. The tricolumnar comb and combing brush features have similar utility when styling naturally growing human hair.

[72] Inventor Salvntore .1. Catanin 2004 S. 88th 51., Omaha, Nehr. 68124 [21] Appl. No. 821,738 [22] Fi1ed May 5, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 211, 1971 [54] IBIEAUTKCIANS' HAND TOOL 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8.1111 .1 132/148 [51] lint. C1 A4Sm1 24/00 [50] Field 01 Search 132/148, 142, 126, 11,50,120,75.4; 15/160 [56] References (Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 303,341 8/1884 Thompson et a1. 132/50 m1 1,285,863 11/1918 Wild 132/754 2,207,427 7/1940 Behr 132/120 2,633,591 4/1953 Servi1la.. 15/160 3,145,718 8/1964 Pigo 132/148 Primary Examiner-Antoni0 F. Guida Assistant ExaminerGregory E. McNeill Attorney-George R. Nimmer ABSTRACT: A beauticians hand tool that is especially useful for the styling of wigs and having tricolumnar comb, combing brush, and T-pin remover features. The tricolumnar comb and combing brush features have similar ultility when styling naturally growing human hair.

PATENTED mm m SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. 7'

FIG.

.514 L VA TORE J CA TAM/A INVENTOR.

BY i y fi fl ATTORNEY IBEAUTICIANS' HAND TOOL It is the general object of this invention to provide a beauticians hand tool enabling the hair dresser to perform a variety of operations simultaneously or selectively in the dressing of naturally growing or of artificial wigged hair.

It is another object of this invention to provide a beauticians hand tool that is exceedingly desirable for the dressing of wigs including especially convenient and effective means for removing the wig from the mannikinlike support therefor.

It is a specific object to provide a tool for the effective removal of the T-pins attachment means for a wig to the underlying mannikin support.

It is a further object to provide a tricolumnar comb feature that is adapted to wave hair by means of straight combing, without the necessity for accompanying manual undulations and oscillations of the combing tool.

It is yet another object to provide a combing brush feature that is adapted to comb out ratted" hair without breaking same and that is adapted to supplement and augment the comb-styling operations.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, which will become more apparent as this description proceeds, the novel beauticians hand tool of the present invention comprises the novel configuration, combination, and arrangement of structural elements as set forth in the follow ing specification, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters refer to like parts in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a representative embodiment of the novel structural concepts of the beauticians hand tool of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. I embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of FIG. 1 showing a representative row of the novel tricolumnar comb portion of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wigged mannikin that is amenable to manipulation by the beauticians hand tool of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view taken along lines 7-7 of FIGS. 1 and 6 showing the T-pin remover portion P of this invention under typical use conditions. The beauticians hand tool of the present invention is generally disposed along a horizontal elongate axis 11, and might comprise one or more, and preferably all, of the following three utilitarian features: tricolumnar comb portion M," a combing brush R," and a T-pin remover P.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the beauticians hand tool typically comprises an elongate bar 12 disposed along axis 11, said bar having: a forward end 13, a rearward portion at 14, an elongate upper surface 15, and an elongate lower surface 16. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bar elongate lower surface 16 is preferably horizontal and planar and having a pair of opposed substantially parallel elongate edges 17 and 18, specifically including a first lower edge 17 and a second lower edge 18 to provide between edges 17 and 18 a substantially uniform transverse width for bar lower surface 16. Extending integrally upwardly from the rearward portion of bar 12 above upper horizontal surface is a bifurcate lug 19. For reasons to be explained later, and particularly with regard to tricolumnar comb portion M" and to T-pin remover P," elongate bar 12 and elongate rigidly associated handle 20 are together formed of a single structurally continuous piece of hard thermoplastic rigid resinous material.

There is the elongate rigid handle 20 rigidly attached to the elongate bar rearward end, said handle 20 being disposed along horizontal elongate axis 11 and having a handle rearward end 21. The elongate length of handle 20 between its rearward end 21 and the bar rearward end at 14 exceeds the length of bar 12. For reasons to be mentioned particularly with respect to the T-pin remover portion P" of the present invention, and as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, elongate handle 20 preferably has a linearly generated smooth external elongate surface 22 of substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

The tricolumnar comb portion M comprises a tricolumnar array of upright individual rodlike teeth, each tooth being attached to and extending uprightly downwardly from bar lower surface 16 whereby the array of individual teeth are arranged in three distinct longitudinal parallel columns including: a second intermediate column 4-0 disposed immediately below and along axis 11, said second column 40 being substantially midway between and parallel to elongate edges 16 and 17; a first column 30 disposed some intercolumn distance between second column 40 and first lower edge 17; and a third column 50 disposed a like intercolumn distance between second column 40 and second lower edge 18. The intercolumn distance is less than that for later described given finite distance Y." Commencing rearwardly of bar forward end 13: first column 30 has at least about 10 individual tooth members, e.g. 30A, 30B,...30(N-1), and terminal member 30N; second column 40 has a like number of individual tooth members, e.g. 40A, 40B...40(N1), and terminal member MN; and third column 50 has a like number of individual tooth members, e.g. 50A, 50B,...50(N1), and terminal tooth 50N, whereby array M" has ID or more row-groupings in the longitudinal direction, e.g. A," B,"...(N1)," and N. The upright height of the several individual teeth of array M" are substantially equal whereby the lower free ends, e.g. 31, 41, 51, etc., of the several individual teeth are disposed within a substantially horizontal plane located below bar lower surface 16.

Second or intermediate column 40 comprises a plurality of individual vertical relatively rigid straight rods 40A, 4013, etc., individually spaced at regular increments on the order of about one-fourth inch along said columnar line 40. The individual rodlike teeth of column 40 might comprise a straight piece of cylindrical steel rod stock having a diameter on the order of l millimeter and a height-length on the order of about I inch.

As exemplified by typical first column tooth 308, the several individual upright teeth of first column 30 are all of substantially identical uniplanar upright configuration, each tooth including a vertical lower portion 32 extending upwardly from tooth lower free end 31 for a distance of about one-half inch. While the tooth spacing along first column 30 is of the same regular increment as in. second column 40, the vertical lower portion of each first column tooth, e.g. portion 32 of tooth 30B, is disposed some given distance Y rearwardly of the nearest second column tooth, e.g. tooth 40B of row-grouping "B, said given distance Y" being less than said regular increment distance. Each tooth of first column 30 desirably further includes a permanently bent upright portion 33 that is coplanar with lower portion 32. Finally, each tooth includes a straight vertical upper portion 34 embedded within bar 12 and coplanar with tooth portion 32 and 33. The upright height of vertical lower portion 32 is at least twice that of upper portion 34, and said upper portion 32 is disposed forwardly of lower portion 34 about twice said given distance Y." Intermediate tooth portion 33 has a plurality of permanent bends or undulations of preferably sine wave shape with amplitude Y" along the upright length thereof, said undulations being wholly disposed longitudinally between upper portion 34 and lower portion 32. Each tooth, e.g. 3013, in first column 30 can be provided of a' single length of cylindrical metallic rod stock.

As exemplified by third column tooth 50B, the several individual teeth of third column 50 are all of substantially identical uniplanar upright configuration, and a mirror image of each first column tooth, e.g. 308. For example, typical third column tooth 508 has a vertical lower portion 52 extending vertically upwardly from tooth lower free end 51 and disposed said given distance Y forwardly of tooth 40E. Tooth 503 has a vertical upper portion 54 disposed said given distance "Y" rearwardly of tooth 408, the permanently bent undulate medial portion 53 being longitudinally and vertically disposed between tooth portion 52 and 54. With the aforedescribed tricolumnar teeth array M," natural or artificial wig hair can be readily waved by straight combing, without manual oscillations of the hand tool by the beautician.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a typical wig-based hair style 90 that might be manipulated with the beauticians hand tool of the present invention; however, the tricolumnar comb M" and the combing brush R portions of the present invention can also be similarly employed on styled naturally growing human hair. A wig-based hair style 90 typically comprises a flexible base cloth portion 91 to which a multitude of individual hair strands are attached, said base cloth 91 being temporarily attached to a resinous foam mannikin 80 with a plurality of T- shaped pins 92. The upright portion of T-pins 92 is removably deeply imbedded into mannikin 80 through base cloth 91, while the T-pin crossbar portion rests firmly against the upper surface of base cloth 91. Beauticians have generally noted with chagrin that it is exceedingly difficult to manually remove T-pins 92 from wig 90 and mannikin 80 upon conclusion of the wig-hair-styling operations without ruining the appearance of the wig coif and without damage to the operators fingernails.

The combing-brush R" portion of the present invention comprises an elongate substantially rigid arm 61 disposed substantially parallel to longitudinalaxis l1 and further disposed vertically above bar upper elongate surface whereby an elongate spatial gap exists between surface 15 and arm 61 including attached bristles 64. Arm 61 has radially extending flexible bristles 64 attached thereto to provide a substantially cylindrical elongate brush. The rearward portion of arm 61 is preferably pivotably attached to the rearward portion of elongate bar 12 with a transverse pivot pin 62 passing through bifurcate lug 19 whereby brush axial arm 61 is pivotal away from bar 12 to permit ready cleaning of combing-brush For the said preferred pivotal brush arm 61, there is a downward forwardly bent forward end 63 for arm 61, together with an upwardly extending spring clip 66 on the bar forward end 13, for removable attachment of arm forward end 63 to elongate bar 12. Cylindrical brush 64 has a plurality of transverse tines 65 spaced at regular intervals along axial arm 61 of cylindrical brush 64, each of said tines 65 extending for an equal distance in both transverse directions from arm 61 and transversely perpendicularly to arm 61. As seen in FIG. 4, each tine 65 comprises a single strip of bendable metal, a medial portion of which is looped securely around axial arm 61, said two equal distance transversely extending portions of each tine bearing a ratio of about three-fourths with respect to the brush diameter to facilitate simultaneous brushing and combing of a styled wig 90 with combing-brush R." Combing-brush R permits combing out of ratted hair styles without appreciable danger of breaking the individual hair filaments.

The T-pin remover portion P" of the present invention comprises a vertical metallic annulus including a transverse opening 73 therethrough, said vertical metallic annulus including its transverse opening 73 being rearwardly elongate from handle rearward end 21 and terminating at annulus rearward end 71. The vertical metallic annulus is structurally rigid along with rigid handle 20, said annulus being substantially nondeflectable in the transverse direction upon the transverse application of up to 5 pounds force to the annulus lower elongate wall 76 whereby the annulus lower wall 76 might be readily forced between a T-pin 92 and wig base-cloth 91, for T-pin removal as indicated in H0. 7. Such vertical metallic annuli are preferably formed of a single lengthy thin strap of metal having a rectangular cross-sectional shape bent into'an elongate U" comprising a pair of elongate parallel legs including upper leg 75 and lower leg 76, and intervening portion 71 that provides the rearward end wall of said annulus. Legs 75 and 76 are disposed along the respective upper and lower elongate surfaces of handle and are attached to rearward portions of handle 20 with inconspecuous rivets 72. It is important that handle 20 including legs 75 and 76 present a smooth linearly generated outward surface T-pin remover "P" so that the annulus might surroundably remove the T-pins 92 without ruining the wig coif. That portion of lower leg 76 extending rearwardly of handle rearward end 21 provides the annulus lower elongate wall and should be vertically thinner than about 1 millimeter to permit slidable insertion between wig base-cloth 91 and the T-pin crossbar. For the aforesaid annulus rigidity, the transverse thickness of annulus lower wall 76 should exceed about 1 millimeter. Moreover, annulus lower wall 76 between handle rearward end 21 and annulus rearward end 71 should be substantially linearly upward and rearward of handle rearward end 21 to facilitate insertion of the annulus about the T-pin crossbar for efficient removal thereof from mannikin 80. Inasmuch as the metallic T-pins 92 are at least partially hidden deeply within the wig coif, the T-pin remover annulus should be metallic so that the intermetallic clicking sound will notify the beautician of each T-pin location.

The combination of all three novel elements M, "R," and P" in a single beauticians' hand tool is especially desireable for operations on a wig coif, e.g. 90. For example, combingbrush R" might first be utilized to safely comb out an existing ratted" hair style. Then, tricolumnar comb M might be used with straight combing to create a new waved hair style, the combing-brush R" and element P" being also employed to appropriately shape, fluff, and smooth out the new hair style. Finally, T-pin remover P" would be used to facilitate removal of T-pins 92.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the beauticians hand tool will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A beauticians hand tool for manipulating feminine hairdos, said hand tool being generally disposed along a horizontal axis and comprising:

A. an elongate bar disposed along said horizontal longitudinal axis, said elongate bar including a forward end and a rearward portion, said elongate bar having an elongate upper surface and a lower elongate surface, said bar lower elongate surface having a pair of opposed substantially parallel elongate edges including a first lowered edge and a second lower edge to provide therebetween a substantially uniform transverse width at the bar lower surface;

B. an elongate rigid handle rigidly attached to the rearward portion of said elongate bar and extending longitudinally rearwardly therefrom along the said horizontal elongate axis, said handle having a rearward end disposed remotely rearwardly of the elongate bar rearward end; and

C. a tricolumnar array of individually spaced upright rodlike teeth attached to and extending uprightly downwardly from the elongate bar lower elongate surface in three longitudinal parallel linear columns, the lower free ends of said tricolumnar teeth array being substantially coplanar and occupying a substantially horizontal plane disposed below the elongate bar lower elongate surface; the second elongate linear column of said teeth array being positioned substantially intermediately of and substantially parallel to the first lower edge and the second lower edge of the elongate bar lower surface and comprising a plurality of vertical straight rods extending downwardly of the bar lower surface, said respective individual rods being dimensionally spaced at regular increments along said elongate second linear column; the first elongate linear column being disposed between the second column and the first lower edge at an intercolumn distanceless than for said regular increments, the several upright rodlike teeth in the first column being all of substantially identical configuration, each tooth having a vertically linear major lower portion connecting upwardly from the tooth free end and having a permanently bent portion disposed immediately above the tooth vertical lower portion, the teeth vertical portions and also the permanently bent portions being disposed along a single vertical plane located along the first linear column, the vertical lower portion of the respective vertical teeth being of substantially equal heights and being spaced at said regular increments along the first linear column commencing a given distance rearwardly of the respective second column teeth, said given distance being less than said regular increment dimension; and the third elongate linear column being disposed between the second column and the second lower edge at an intercolumn distance substantially equal to that between the first and second column, the several upright rodlilte teeth in the third column being all of substantially identical configuration and all of said teeth being a mirror image of the respective teeth in the first column, the vertical lower portion of the respective teeth in the third column'being of substantially equal heights and being spaced at said regular increments along the third column commencing said given finite distance forwardly of the respective second column teeth.

2. The beauticians hand tool of claim 1 wherein there is an elongate arm disposed substantially parallel to the said horizontal longitudinal axis and spaced vertically above the elongate bar upper elongate surface whereby a spatial gap exists between the elongate bar and said elongate arm, said elongate arm having radially extending bristles attached thereto to provide a substantially cylindrical brush, said brush having a plurality of transverse tines spaced at regular intervals along the central longitudinal arm of said cylindrical brush, each of said tines extending for an equal distance in both transverse directions from said brush longitudinal central arm, and substantially perpendicular to said arm.

3. The beautians hand tool of claim 2 wherein the rearward portion of said elongate arm is pivotably attached to the rearward portion of the elongate bar with a transverse pivot whereby said arm is upwardly pivotal away from the elongate bar upper surface; wherein the elongate arm has a forward end, said elongate arm at the forward end being removably attachable to the forward portion of the elongate bar; and wherein each tine comprises a single strip of metal, a medial portion of which is looped securely around said elongate arm, said two equal distance portions of each tine bearing a ratio of about three-fourths with respect to the brush diameter.

1. The beauticians hand tool of claim ll wherein the respective teeth in the first column each comprises a metallic cylindrical rod, each rod being wholly disposed along a vertical plane and including a vertical upper portion at the bar lower side longitudinally offset about twice said given finite distance forwardly of the vertical lower portion of the same tooth, the

vertical height of the tooth lower portion being at least twice that of the tooth upper portion, the permanently bent portion of each rod extending uprightly from the lower vertical portion toward the upper'vertical portion and including a plurality of bends in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal extremities of said bends being disposed between the vertical upper and lower portions of said rod.

5. The beauticians hand tool of claim ll wherein the transverse distance between the first and second column and also between the second and third column is greater than said given finite distance; wherein the number of triteeth row groupings of the teeth array exceeds 10; wherein the shape of the permanently bent medial portion of the rodlilte teeth in the first and third columns is in the substantial shape of a sine wave with the amplitude being said given finite distance; and wherein each tooth is formed of a continuous single length of metallic rod stock having a diameter of about 1 millimeter and a length of about 1 inch.

6. he beauticians hand tool of claim 1 wherein there is a vertical metallic annulus including a transverse opening therethrough rigidly attached to the handle rearward end, said metallic vertical annulus including a vertically thin lower elongate wall, said metallic vertical annulus being structurally rigid and substantially nondeflectable in the transverse directions upon the transverse application of up to five pounds force to the annulus lower elongate wall; and wherein the elongate handle has a linearly generated external elongate surface surrounding the handle elongate axis.

l I? t 4 b 

1. A beauticians'' hand tool for manipulating feminine hairdos, said hand tool being generally disposed along a horizontal axis and comprising: A. an elongate bar disposed along said horizontal longitudinal axis, said elongate bar including a forward end and a rearward portion, said elongate bar having an elongate upper surface and a lower elongate surface, said bar lower elongate surface having a pair of opposed substantially parallel elongate edges including a first lowered edge and a second lower edge to provide therebetween a substantially uniform transverse width at the bar lower surface; B. an elongate rigid handle rigidly attached to the rearward portion of said elongate bar and extending longitudinally rearwardly therefrom along the said horizontal elongate axis, said handle having a rearward end disposed remotely rearwardly of the elongate bar rearward end; and C. a tricolumnar array of individually spaced upright rodlike teeth attached to and extending uprightly downwardly from the elongate bar lower elongate surface in three longitudinal parallel linear columns, the lower free ends of said tricolumnar teeth array being substantially coplanar and occupying a substantially horizontal plane disposed below the elongate bar lower elongate surface; the second elongate linear column of said teeth array being positioned substantially intermediately of and substantially parallel to the first lower edge and the second lower edge of the elongate bar lower surface and comprising a plurality of vertical straight rods extending downwardly of the bar lower surface, said respective individual rods being dimensionally spaced at regular increments along said elongate second linear column; the first elongate linear column being disposed between the second column and the first lower edge at an intercolumn distance less than for said regular increments, the several upright rodlike teeth in the first column being all of substantially identical configuration, each tooth having a vertically linear major lower portion connecting upwardly from the tooth free end and having a permanently bent portion disposed immediately above the tooth vertical lower portion, the teeth vertical portions and also the permanently bent portions being disposed along a single vertical plane located along the first linear column, the vertical lower portion of the respective vertical teeth being of substantially equal heights and being spaced at said regular increments along the first linear column commencing a given distance rearwardly of the respective second column teeth, said given distance being less than said regular increment dimension; and the third elongate linear column being disposed between the second column and the second lower edge at an intercolumn distance substantially equal to that between the first and second column, the several upright rodlike teeth in the third column being all of substantially identical configuration and all of said teeth being a mirror image of the respective teeth in the first column, the vertical lower portion of the respective teeth in the third column being of substantially equal heights and being spaced at said regular increments along the third column commencing said given finite distance forwardly of the respective second column teeth.
 2. The beauticians'' hand tool of claim 1 wherein there is an elongate arm disposed substantially parallel to the said horizontal longitudinal axis and spaced vertically above the elongate bar upper elongate surface whereby a spatial gap exists between the elongate bar and said elongate arm, said elongate arm having radially extending bristles attached thereto to provide a substantially cylindrical brush, said brush having a plurality of transverse tines spaced at regular intervals along the central longitudinal arm of said cylindrical brush, each of said tines extending for an Equal distance in both transverse directions from said brush longitudinal central arm, and substantially perpendicular to said arm.
 3. The beautians'' hand tool of claim 2 wherein the rearward portion of said elongate arm is pivotably attached to the rearward portion of the elongate bar with a transverse pivot whereby said arm is upwardly pivotal away from the elongate bar upper surface; wherein the elongate arm has a forward end, said elongate arm at the forward end being removably attachable to the forward portion of the elongate bar; and wherein each tine comprises a single strip of metal, a medial portion of which is looped securely around said elongate arm, said two equal distance portions of each tine bearing a ratio of about three-fourths with respect to the brush diameter.
 4. The beauticians'' hand tool of claim 1 wherein the respective teeth in the first column each comprises a metallic cylindrical rod, each rod being wholly disposed along a vertical plane and including a vertical upper portion at the bar lower side longitudinally offset about twice said given finite distance forwardly of the vertical lower portion of the same tooth, the vertical height of the tooth lower portion being at least twice that of the tooth upper portion, the permanently bent portion of each rod extending uprightly from the lower vertical portion toward the upper vertical portion and including a plurality of bends in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal extremities of said bends being disposed between the vertical upper and lower portions of said rod.
 5. The beauticians'' hand tool of claim 4 wherein the transverse distance between the first and second column and also between the second and third column is greater than said given finite distance; wherein the number of triteeth row groupings of the teeth array exceeds 10; wherein the shape of the permanently bent medial portion of the rodlike teeth in the first and third columns is in the substantial shape of a sine wave with the amplitude being said given finite distance; and wherein each tooth is formed of a continuous single length of metallic rod stock having a diameter of about 1 millimeter and a length of about 1 inch.
 6. The beauticians'' hand tool of claim 1 wherein there is a vertical metallic annulus including a transverse opening therethrough rigidly attached to the handle rearward end, said metallic vertical annulus including a vertically thin lower elongate wall, said metallic vertical annulus being structurally rigid and substantially nondeflectable in the transverse directions upon the transverse application of up to five pounds force to the annulus lower elongate wall; and wherein the elongate handle has a linearly generated external elongate surface surrounding the handle elongate axis. 